Curly locks (Thelymitra spiralis)
Description
Thelymitra spiralis, commonly called curly locks, is a species of orchid in the family Orchidaceae and endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has a single erect leaf, spiralling around the flowering stem and up to three pink, reddish, purplish or blue flowers with two large yellow or orange ear-like arms on the sides of the column. Thelymitra spiralis is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single leaf which is egg-shaped near the reddish base, then suddenly narrows to a linear, channelled, curved or spirally twisted upper part. The upper part is 50–120 mm (2–5 in) long and 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) wide. Up to three pink, reddish, purplish or blue flowers, sometimes with darker veins or spots, 20–50 mm (0.8–2 in) wide are borne on a flowering stem 50–450 mm (2–20 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long and 4–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide. The column is a similar colour to the petals, 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide with a cluster of small glands on its back. There are two ear-like, orange or yellow arms on the sides of the column. The flowers are self-pollinating and open on hot days. Flowering occurs from July to September.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Tracheophyta
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Thelymitra
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